100. Setting Up A Calm Down Corner For Your Classroom

Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten

This episode marks 100(!) episodes of Kindergarten Café, and we’re talking about something every classroom should have: a calm down corner.

I’m walking you through what it is, why it matters, how to set one up (without needing a ton of stuff), and how to introduce it so students actually use it to regulate and not avoid learning or feel punished.

In this episode I share:

• Why this space isn’t a timeout—but a teaching tool for self-regulation
• How to set it up so it’s private and safe
• What to include (and what to skip) to keep it simple and effective
• How I teach students to use it—with modeling, practice, and support
• The trick to managing it without it becoming a reward or a distraction

Resources:

• Social Emotional Learning Strategies Signs, Visuals, and Posters
• Social Emotional Classroom Supplies

Connect with Zeba:

• Instagram - @kindergartencafe
• Facebook - @kindergartencafe
• Website - www.kindergartencafe.org
• Tik Tok - @kindergartencafe

Mentioned in this episode:

Caring Critters Books

Felipe the Feeling Frog: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/felipe/ Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/trixie/